This fascinating tale sheds light on a unique chapter in John Deere’s history and the Wang family legacy. What seemed like an ordinary 1933 Model A tractor turned out to be a rare experimental prototype with a dual-identity mystery.
In 1933, Erwin Wang, Jim Wang’s grandfather, purchased what he thought was one of the early, hard-to-find 1933 John Deere Model A tractors from his brother-in-law’s dealership for $400. Jim, now living in Malcom, Iowa, even has photos documenting this moment in history.
The mystery unfolded years later when a curious school instructor, familiar with Jim’s tractor, reached out to John Deere for its production history. The records surprisingly identified the tractor as a 1934 model. After some digging, the truth emerged: the tractor was actually one of only ten pre-production experimental models—originally designated as “AAs”—used for testing before the Model A officially debuted in 1934.
Here’s where it gets even more interesting: this particular tractor was shipped to the dealer with its initial serial number but was recalled by John Deere six months later for evaluation. Following modifications and updates to align with the finalized Model A design, the tractor was returned to Erwin Wang with a new serial number, marking it as part of the upcoming official production line.
This dual-serial-number history makes Jim’s tractor an extraordinary piece of John Deere heritage, blending its experimental roots with the legacy of the Model A’s enduring success.
